Hand brake



July 9, 1929. V E 1,720,095

HAND BRAKE Fr led Aug. 17, 1927 amnion Patented July 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM HENRY SAUVAGE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO ROYAL RAILWAY IMPROVEMENTS CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

HAND BRAKE.

Application filed August 17, 1927.

This invention relates to improvements in lifting or pulling devices and will hereinafter be described with reference to its application to hand brakes for railroad vehicles or cars, although it is, of course, to be understood that I do not wish to limit myself to this particular application.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple and practical mechanism of the aboie general character having relatively few parts, which may be inexpensively manufactured and assembled.

A further object is to provide a mechanism of the above character which will notonly be foolproof in its operation but capable of accomplishing the desired purpose regardless of the direction of rotation of the source of power. It is also reliable and ellicient in operation due to the compact and protected arrangement of the various parts forming the mechanism.

A further object is to provide a mechanism of the above character in which multiplication of power may be obtained.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connec tion with the following analysis of the invention, when taken in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings illustrating one of various possible embodiments of the invention, and in theseveral views of which corresponding parts are denoted by similar reference characters.

In this drawing Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View of such parts of the mechanism as are necessary to fully understand the same;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, certain parts being shown in dotted lines; and

Fig. 3 is a detail View of the holding means.

Referring now to the drawing in detail. in Fig. 1, 5 indicates a casing preferably of semi-cylindrical type. as shown in Fig. 2,

and provided with holes 6 whereby the same may be secured to any suitable support, such for example, as the inner or outer wall of a car should the device be applied to that par-' ticular use. This casing 5 is adapted to house a chain block sheave 7 mounted upon a shaft 8 trunnioned on the casing and with which coacts chain 10 preferably of the block or sprocket type, and endless in form as in- Serial No. 213,610.

dicated in Fig. 2, a certain part being provided with a link 11 connected to a second rod or chain 12, the opposite end of which is in turn. connected with the member to be moved, such as the brake levers or brake beams. This drum sheave 8 preferably has formed integrally therewith a gear 13, which in turn meshes with a second gear 14 at the lower end of a shaft 15 which passes thru a bearing 16 and provided with a hand wheel 17 at its upper end. Intermediate the ends of the shaft 15, there is keyed an inverted holding ratchet wheel 18 adapted to be engaged by a double-acting pawl 20 which may be swung from side to side by means of a weighted operating handle 21.

It is believed that from the above description the method of operation and use of the above will be clear to those skilled in the art. It is suflicient to state that regardless of the direction of the movement of the hand wheel 17 the block chain 10 will be wound about the drum 17 without danger of balling, thereby to exert a pull upon the chain or rod 12 with greatly increased power. The pawl 20 will prevent a reverse rotation of the gear 18 in one direction, yet if swung to the opposite side by means of the weighted handle 21 a counter-rotation of the wheel 18 will be permitted. The pawl is, there fore, particularly suitable for gearing of this kind where it is necessary to maintain the desired degree of tension upon the chain 12 yet will permit a ready release thereof when necessary.

The gears 13 and 14, being preferably formed integral with the shafts or members upon which they are mounted, ensure a reduction of the cost of manufacture and a simplicity of design not likely to get out of order or to become disconnected from the parts with which they are assembled. The housing containing the gearing being enclosed except for the opening in the underside thru which the chain passes, there is thereby provided ample protection from the elements and particularly snow and ice which might otherwise retard the efiicient operation of the mechanism.

lVithout further analysis of the invention the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applicati one without omitting certain features that,

from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and,

therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a Casing having a transverse shaft, a chain drum and gear mounted upon said shaft, an endless block chain passing about said drum, a second shaft and gear at right angles to the first shaft for driving the drum and first mentioned gear, and a double-acting means adapted to prevent or permit reverse rotation of the second shaft depending upon the position in whichsaid means is set, said means including an inverted ratchet wheel and double ended pawl coacting therewith.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a substantially closedhousing having an open underside, a drum mounted in said housing, a looped chain passing about said drum and out through said opening, a second shaft vertically disposed with respect to said housing, bevel gearing interposed between said shafts whereby one is driven on rotation of the other, an inverted ratchet wheel mounted upon said second shaft, and a double-acting pawl coacting with said ratchet wheel adapted to prevent rotation of the second shaft in a counter direction, and means whereby said pawl may be easily and quickly moved from one holding position to a reverse holding position as desired depending upon the direction in which said chain is desired to be wound and held.

In witness whereofv I have hereunto signed my name.

lVILLIAM HENRY SAUVAGE. 

